No Calais. In the midst of war, she photographed soldiers from all over the world
Through Guillaume Lacaille
Published on
It’s a story who might have never resurfaced, like many family secrets. The first World War was the scene of traumatic scenes, but also of beautiful stories. Mine, then aged 20 years and passionate about Photo, has become by word of mouth a war photographer. the Memorial 14-18 History Center invites you to discover this unusual moment.
Chic collar in the meadows
It all started in a small village near Lilles, a Bourecq. While La Nave and its calm flow continue its journey, it is a real bloody theater that takes place a few kilometers away. The war rages. Pendant We are in the middle of the great warnot knowing that a second is needed decades later.
Mina, aged 20, is an avid photographer. Promise to couture, its future will take a big turn with this conflict. No question of digital, printers and retouching at the time: she learned alone how take a good shot and comment on the development on the glass plates of the time.
The families who remained in Bourecq wanted to give courage to their father, their husband, their brother who had gone to the front. Many are the women and children that the young Mina immortalized before sending their portraits to the soldiers. But quickly, the news of this young photographer who sends pictures goes spread and his work will take another turn.
soldiers around the world
Bourecq is a passage corridor for convoys of soldiers going to the front. The military more and more frequently go to see Mina to ask her for a photo to send to their family. fantasies of the whole world ! It is no longer the families who send their photo to the soldier but the reverse. The family courtyard will then become a studio photography which engraves the passage of strangers for eternity in the glass.
But this story almost never came to our attention. Thierry Dondaine, another photo enthusiast, met Mina almost 70 years later. It is in the course of a conversation that she reveals this part of her past to him and that he discovers almost 600 glass plates pictures that were never sent. More than 600 soldiers from France, around the world, anonymous, survivors, deceased etc. memory.
If a piece of Bourecq has gone all over the world with these photos sent to families abroad, Thierry Dondaine has digitized these photos and the Souchez Memorial 14-18 History Center invites you to discover them over time. of a visit.
A visit and workshops
It is therefore a exposure which has been organized around this story and which will be of interest to adults, but also to children. If a classic route is possible, there is also a special formula for children who could discover this exhibition using a playbook dedicated to young audiences.
Special visit for children with book-games: 1 euro extra.
Guided tour – Flash: €4 per person / free for under-18s. Friday February 18 and April 15 at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Reservation for the flash visit in line.
Thierry Dondaine, the savior of this collection of photos, also offers you a workshop. Himself passionate about photography and with his association Triggers of Memories, he will offer the public a original introduction. It will introduce you to the world of film photography from shooting to development.
Price: 4€ for children under 18 / free for accompanying persons (a child must be accompanied by an adult)
Date: Wednesday, February 16 at 2:00 p.m. Book online
During the First World War, the technique of photography was not the same as today. Mina developed her photos on glass plates. A special method that Thierry Dondaine will also introduce you to in a dedicated workshop.
Duration: 1 hour
Price: 6€ for children under 18 / free for accompanying persons (a child must be accompanied by an adult)
Only on Saturday April 23 and June 25 at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Reservations are not open yet.
Address of the Memorial History Center 14-18: 102, rue Pasteur, Souchez.
Open: Wednesday to Sunday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
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